Sobon Estate 07 Rocky Top Zinfandel: Cali Zin For The Win

Sep 10 2009

“Hey, Wendy, we have a wine we’d like you to review,” said the PalateBomb.Com Gods (Yes, didn’t you know that we get our wine from Gods?) Fair enough, I thought. “It’s from California.” Really? Really?!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing personally against California wines. Absolutely not. I watched the movie “Bottle Shock” and totally appreciated the whole eff-you French wine unsnobbery thang from the California winemakers. It was essential in establishing the United States as a serious wine producer (via the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine competition where Cali wines beat out their French counterparts in both red and white categories during a blind taste testing *insert snobby gasps here*). And, in fact, the story line reminds me a lot like the burgeoning Northwest wine industry (although now Cali-snobs seem to be at the receiving end of a one-finger salute this time around, not the French).

But I’m still touring through the Columbia, Yakima, and Willamette Valleys up here. Cali is whole different territory!

When I went to pick up the bottle, the PalateBomb.Com Gods tossed in another another challenge: Sobon Estate 07 Rocky Top Zinfandel from California’s Shenandoah Valley. Yes, Zinfandel. I have yet to find a single Zin that I love. Or like for that matter.

Fast Forward >>

So, it’s my day off, I’m sitting here watching FOX’s “House Husbands of Hollywood” (guilty pleasure and what better to pair a California wine with?). I’m yelling at the TV because sweet, adorable Danny is so freaking whipped by prudish, blonde, vapid Katherine – or is it because half…er…3/4 of the bottle of Sobon’s Zin is gone? G-o-n-e. And I’m the only one drinking.

What happened here? Well, honestly, this Zin was AMAZING to drink. Despite being a full-bodied red, it was surprisingly easy to go down. Obviously. The nose distinctively smelled of cherries, but taste-wise cocoa (almost mocha-like) dominates the palate. Singing back up is a chorus of cherries and berry subtleties. The finish is nice and lengthy.

One of the really impressive parts of this wine is that it’s made with organic grapes. According to Sobon’s web site (sobonwine.com), they’ve been farming sustainably for 20 years. Their wine contains between 15-20 parts per million free sulfates. I’m not 100% sure what this means, but it sounds good!

While I found this wine absolutely delicious, I would hesitate to recommend it to a beginning wine drinker. It’s pretty intense. An at 15.1% alcohol, this wine will leave you with a happy buzzy feeling. In fact, I’m thinking a nap sounds pretty good right about…now.

Maryhill Columbia Valley Pinot Gris 07

Sep 2 2009

Excuse me. My palate has been a bit off. I’m not sure if I’m the only who goes though this – but every wine I’ve been tasting (red and white) has had the odd scent of baking bread. Yes. Baking bread. People who know more about wine than me: go for it! Explain it. I certainly can’t. I mean, I do love the smell of baking bread (who doesn’t), but not when I’m drinking my wine.

So, I’m pleased to say that the Maryhill 2007 Columbia Valley Pinot Gris broke my “bread-smelling” streak. On the nose, this wine gives off a citrus aroma with a little hint of melon. The taste is much stronger, but still very fruity. It’s an intense wine (for being a white). If I said “fruit explosion” I wouldn’t be exaggerating. Mostly, I taste the peach carrying through from the nose, but others have tasted pears and even honey. The finish lingers with more bitter notes – although I honestly couldn’t exactly place the subtleties. Oddly, one of the things I liked most about this wine was the golden, rich color. Be-ooo-ti-ful! Not that I think color really matters (sticking to my anti-snobbery) but, hey, I’m a chick. I like pretty colors.

Throughout the summer, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting a number of pinot gris – locally, regionally, and internationally grown (they’re FROM outside the country, not that I was tasting them internationally. Unless you want me to. If so please send plane tickets and hotel reservations to PalateBomb.Com *smile* *wink* *nudge*). This wine was one of my favorites.

Someone who is just getting past the riesling phase (come on, we’ve all been there) might want to try this as it’s not too dry and is plenty fruity. On the flipside, more experienced drinkers won’t be overwhelmed by sweetness (it’s crisp!).

Have you tried this wine? Let me know what you think. What’s your favorite pinot gris?